'''Verna''' is an obscure location in southwest [[Beleriand]] near the [[Mouths of Sirion]].

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'''Verna''' was an obscure location in southwest [[Beleriand]] near the [[Mouths of Sirion]].

[[Arvernien]] was named after it.

[[Arvernien]] was named after it.

==Inspiration==

==Inspiration==

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Verna does not appear in narration or any maps of Beleriand; in the real world Tolkien probably derived the word in order to explain "Arvernien".<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "Words, Phrases and Passages in ''The Lord of the Rings''" (edited by [[Christopher Gilson]]), published in [[Parma Eldalamberon]] 17 (July [[2007]]), p. 19</ref> Since Tolkien explains Arvernien as "Land outside Verna", geographically, Verna could refer to adjacent regions like the forest of [[Nimbrethil]] or [[Lisgardh]].

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Verna does not appear in narration or any maps of Beleriand; Tolkien appears to have invented the name in order to explain the etymology of ''Arvernien''.<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 19</ref> Since Tolkien explains Arvernien as "Land outside Verna", geographically, Verna could refer to adjacent regions like the forest of [[Nimbrethil]] or [[Lisgardh]].

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==Etymology==

==Etymology==

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Verna could be related to [[Quenya]] ''[[feren]]'' which means "birch, beech tree", and if so, it would refer to the forest of Nimbrethil.<ref>This connection was suggested by the [[Encyclopedia of Arda]], and it referred to ''Arvernien'', without acknowledging the existence of ''Verna'' as an independent word[http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/a/arvernien.html].</ref> Another possibility is that it refers to a river, obviously [[Sirion]], and comes from the [[root]] ''[[WER]]'', "winding" (thus, "Winding River").<ref>[[David Salo]], ''[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/elfling/message/34598 Message 34598]'', [[Elfling]]</ref>

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Verna could be related to [[Quenya]] ''[[feren]]'' which means "birch, beech tree", and if so, it could refer to the forest of Nimbrethil ("(forest of) silver birches").<ref>This connection was suggested by the [[Encyclopedia of Arda]], and it referred to ''Arvernien'', without acknowledging the existence of ''Verna'' as an independent word[http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/a/arvernien.html].</ref> Another possibility is that it refers to a river, obviously [[Sirion]], and comes from the [[Sundocarmë|Root]] ''[[WER]]'', "winding" (thus, "Winding River").<ref>[[David Salo]], ''[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/elfling/message/34598 Message 34598]'', [[Elfling]]</ref>

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[[category:Southwest Beleriand]]

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[[Category:Beleriand]]

Revision as of 05:43, 1 August 2011

Inspiration

Verna does not appear in narration or any maps of Beleriand; Tolkien appears to have invented the name in order to explain the etymology of Arvernien.[1] Since Tolkien explains Arvernien as "Land outside Verna", geographically, Verna could refer to adjacent regions like the forest of Nimbrethil or Lisgardh.

Etymology

Verna could be related to Quenyaferen which means "birch, beech tree", and if so, it could refer to the forest of Nimbrethil ("(forest of) silver birches").[2] Another possibility is that it refers to a river, obviously Sirion, and comes from the RootWER, "winding" (thus, "Winding River").[3]